In the Diocese of Chelmsford we have adopted the suite of Policy and Practice Guidance provided by the National Safeguarding Team for the Church of England.

Duty to have "due regard” to House of Bishops safeguarding policy and practice guidance:
The Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 imposes a legal duty on all authorised clergy, licensed readers and lay workers, churchwardens and PCCs (parochial church councils) to have 'due regard' to safeguarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops on matters relating to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults (this will include both policy and practice guidance).
- A failure by a member of the clergy to comply with the duty to have due regard to House of Bishops safeguarding guidance is misconduct under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 (‘CDM’).
- A failure by a reader or lay worker to have due regard to House of Bishops safeguarding guidance would be grounds for the revocation of the reader’s or lay worker’s licence by the bishop.
- A failure by a churchwarden or parochial church council to have due regard to House of Bishops safeguarding could result in an investigation being carried out by the Charity Commission and the churchwarden or PCC members being disqualified as charity trustees.
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The Ecclesiastical Insurance Group has made it clear that their insurance cover is only valid where House of Bishops’ safeguarding policy and practice guidance is being followed.
- Church of England Duty to “have due regard” to House of Bishops safeguarding guidance (2020)
- Government Legislation: Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016
Click on a link below to take you to the relevant section:
- Diocese of Chelmsford Statements
- Church of England NST Statement
- Church of England NST Guidance, Handbook, E-manual & Fact Sheets
- Church of England NST Safer Recruitment
- Church of England NST Templates, Models & Resources
- Church of England NST Responding Well to Safeguarding Allegations or Concerns
- Safeguarding & Digital Communications
- Church of England NST Theology & Safeguarding
Diocese of Chelmsford Statements:
- Diocese of Chelmsford Domestic Abuse Statement
- Diocese of Chelmsford The Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy Statement
Church of England NST Statement:
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Church of England Promoting a Safer Church; House of Bishops policy statement (2017)
Church of England NST Guidance, Handbook, E-manual & Fact Sheet
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Church of England Being connected with ZOOM safely (2020)
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Church of England Code of Safer Working Practice (2021)
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Church of England DBS Eligibility and related matters – Frequently Asked Questions (2017)
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Church of England Domestic abuse and Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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Church of England Eligibility for an enhanced criminal records check
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Church of England Fact Sheet - Sexting (youth produced sexual imagery)
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Church of England Glossary reference document (2017)
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Church of England Parish Safeguarding Handbook (Updated 2019)
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Church of England Roles eligible for a criminal records check
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Church of England Safeguarding e-manual
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Church of England Safeguarding in Religious Communities (2020)
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Church of England Safer Environment and Activities (2019)
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Church of England Record Centre: Safeguarding Records - Retention (2015)
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Church of England Types of Abuse – Fact Sheet (2018)
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Church of England Statement of safeguarding principles
Church of England NST Safer Recruitment:
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Church of England Safer Recruitment and People Management (2021)
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Church of England Safer Recruitment & People Management Assessment Tool (2021)
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Church of England Safer Recruitment – Permission to Officiate
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Church of England Safer recruiting in the parish
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Church of England Model volunteer job role
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Church of England Application form template
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Church of England Reference form template
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Church of England Model interview discussion template
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Church of England Confidential Declaration Form (Updated 2020)
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Church of England Letter of appointment template
Church of England NST Templates, Models & Resources:
- Church of England Templates and Resources
- Church of England Model Activity Risk Assessment Template
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Church of England Model Consent Form - Transport
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Church of England Model interview discussion template
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Church of England Model Parish Recording Template
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Church of England Model Parish Safeguarding Checklist
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Church of England Model parish safeguarding officer role description
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Church of England Model Parish Safeguarding Policy
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Church of England Model Personal Risk Assessment tool
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Church of England Model Registration Form - Activities and Trips
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Church of England Model Risk Assessment Checklist for Home Visiting
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Church of England Model Volunteer Driver Agreement
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Church of England Parish statement on domestic abuse
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Church of England Photo Release Template
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Church of England Promoting a Safer Church A3 poster for parishes (with logo space) (2021)
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Church of England Safeguarding in your parish - who's who?
Church of England NST Responding Well to Safeguarding Allegations or Concerns:
- Church of England What to do if...
- Church of England Responding to Safeguarding Concerns or Allegations that relate to Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults practice guidance (2018)
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Church of England Responding Well to Domestic Abuse:
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Church of England Responding well to domestic abuse practice guidance (2017)
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Church of England Domestic abuse fact sheet
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Church of England Confidentiality and data protection
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Church of England Marriage preparation: recommended good practic
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Church of England Parish statement on domestic abuse
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Church of England Resources on domestic abuse
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Church of England The Legal Context
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Church of England Theology
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Church of England Template safety and exit plan
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Safeguarding & Digital Communications:
As more of us are now using digital and video communications in our ministry it is important that we are aware of the safeguarding implications and following best practice. Please ensure you are familiar with the following guidance and share it with those in your parish who organise online meetings or worship activity.
- Church of England Advice for using social media to reach young people (2020)
- Church of England Advice on Safeguarding during the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Church of England Advice for using video conferencing for youth work during Covid-19 (2020)
- Church of England Using Zoom for video meetings with young people (2020)
- Church of England Filming and photography in churches – consent and GDPR | The Church of England (2021)
- Government Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for parents and carers to keep children safe online (2021)
GDPR and permissions for adults
Those appearing in video or photographs will need to have given you their permission. A photo release form can be signed by adults. The form must include all the places that the photo or video may be used by the church.
The template photo release form can be downloaded HERE
GDPR and permissions for children
Videos containing children may be used by the church if consent has been given by their parent or guardian. This needs to be signed consent and should include the places which the photo or video may be used by the church. If permission has not been given, it can be helpful to identify these children by using a simple paper wristband, or by asking them to sit in a photo and video free zone. Practically, seeking permission may need a few extra helpers on the day, working from a safe social distance. Alternatively, prepare ahead by sending out the forms to your church newsletter list to avoid queues on the day.
More information can be found under the 'Video and Livestreaming' section
Church of England NST Theology & Safeguarding:
A resource to help local churches do some theological thinking around safeguarding has been published today (30th June 2016) by the Faith and Order Commission (FAOC). The text is meant to be read as a specifically theological resource alongside safeguarding policy and guidance documents from the local diocese and the national church.
- The Gospel, Sexual Abuse and the Church: A theological resource for the local church is available online via www.churchofengland.org/media/2535755/theologicalresourcefaocweb.pdf and is also available to pre-order as a book from Church House Publishing (Price £5.99, ISBN 978 0 7151 1109 3) via www.chpublishing.co.uk.
- Further information on the Faith and Order Commission, FAOC www.churchofengland.org/about-us/work-other-churches/faith-and-order-commission.aspx
- Further background on safeguarding in the Church of England www.churchofengland.org/clergy-office-holders/safeguarding-children-vulnerable-adults.aspx
For more information please contact Safeguarding Team
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